The Deputy Minister for the Interior, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, has urged for stringent adherence to the Guidelines and Standards related to the importation, retrofitting, usage, and decommissioning of Armoured Bullion Vehicles (ABVs) in Ghana.
While addressing attendees at a one-day sensitisation workshop for the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in Accra, the Deputy Minister highlighted the necessity of effectively regulating ABVs to protect public safety, enhance security, promote legitimate trade, and ensure compliance with regulations.
Terlabi pointed out that Customs Officers bear a significant responsibility to verify that armoured bullion vehicles and related security materials entering the nation conform to the established laws, regulations, standards, and procedures.
The Deputy Minister stressed that compliance should not cease with the importation and clearance of the vehicles but should persist throughout their entire lifecycle, which includes retrofitting, usage, and eventual decommissioning. He also underscored the importance of ensuring that ABVs are operated in line with relevant safety, security, and technical standards.
Additionally, the Deputy Minister called for enhanced inter-agency collaboration among the Customs Division, Ghana Police Service, Bank of Ghana, and other pertinent stakeholders, especially in matters concerning vehicle certification, roadworthiness, technical standards, and security.
He encouraged participants to actively participate in the sensitisation programme by posing questions and sharing practical experiences to foster a shared understanding and consistent application of the Guidelines and Standards across all Customs commands and posts. This engagement is vital for developing a clear comprehension of the requirements for the declaration, documentation, classification, valuation, inspection, and clearance of ABVs, while ensuring that legitimate businesses are supported in accordance with the law.
In his remarks, Alphonse Qauinoo, the Deputy Commissioner for Post Clearance Audit at the GRA Customs Division, emphasized that Customs cannot function independently when it comes to technical standards, security, vehicle certification, roadworthiness, and other regulatory issues.
He further noted that the successful execution of these Guidelines and Standards concerning Armoured Bullion Vehicles (ABVs) will necessitate clear collaboration among all pertinent stakeholders, while upholding the integrity of Customs procedures.
The one-day sensitization workshop is part of initiatives aimed at ensuring the effective application of the Guidelines and Standards for Armoured Bullion Vehicles, as well as improving regulatory oversight regarding their importation, retrofitting, usage, and decommissioning in Ghana.
